BoE Regulatory Updates

Key dates

2026-08-27

The Bank of England announced deferral of the entire November 2026 RTGS standards release, including CHAPS messaging standards; Swift announced the corresponding Standards Release delay on the same date.

2026-12-31

Swift has indicated that it will provide an update on the optimal timing and approach for the structured-address change by December 2026 at the latest; this is an expected communications milestone, not a confirmed implementation deadline.

Suggested considerations

• Firms should update regulatory-change inventories and project plans to record that the November 2026 RTGS and CHAPS standards release has been deferred, without assuming that the change has been cancelled.
• CHAPS and RTGS participants should obtain the BoE’s revised implementation timetable and monitor the BoE ISO 20022 implementation page, participant communications and Swift governance updates, including the expected update by December 2026 at the latest.
• Compliance and payments teams may wish to preserve completed analysis and technical preparations for structured or hybrid postal addresses, while reassessing sequencing, testing windows, release dependencies and vendor delivery dates against the revised timetable.
• Firms should distinguish the deferred BoE/CHAPS release from any other payment-system or bilateral requirements that may continue on their original schedules, and should confirm the treatment of address validation, message rejection, exception handling and operational support with relevant counterparties and vendors.
• Technology and operations teams should maintain regression-test environments and data-quality remediation plans so that implementation can resume without restarting discovery or delaying future mandatory testing.
• Firms using both CHAPS/RTGS and Swift CBPR+ should assess whether the coordinated deferral changes their customer communications, correspondent-bank testing, operational-resilience scenarios, payment-routing controls and incident-management assumptions.
• Governance committees may wish to record the deferral as a schedule and dependency change rather than as a reduction in scope, because the BoE states that the November release is deferred in its entirety and provides no indication that the underlying standards work is withdrawn.

What changed

The November 2026 RTGS standards release will not proceed as originally planned and has been deferred in its entirety rather than being split into separate changes. This includes the RTGS messaging standards applicable to CHAPS payments. The decision maintains alignment with Swift’s deferred CBPR+ release and means that the previously expected 2026-11-14 removal of fully unstructured postal addresses should not be treated as the operative BoE/Swift implementation date; Swift has indicated that it will consult market participants and provide an update by December 2026 at the latest.

Key dates

August 2018

- EDMC established by the Court of Directors to provide independent decision‑making in contested enforcement cases and functional separation from investigation teams

January 2024

- EDMC Procedures published, setting out detailed processes for contested enforcement decisions, including panel composition and hearing arrangements

October 2025

- Bank of England commences recruitment for additional EDMC members, including a new Chair and Deputy Chair, to join in summer 2026

11 November 2025

- Closing date for applications for EDMC panel member roles, including potential Chair and Deputy Chair candidates

End of July 2026

- Term of Sir William Blair as EDMC Chair and of Philip Marsden as EDMC Deputy Chair expires

Suggested considerations

• Map all existing and potential enforcement exposures to the EDMC’s statutory remit, covering prudential regulation, FMI, resolution, securitisation, wholesale cash distribution, critical third parties and notes issuance.
• Review internal enforcement‑response playbooks to ensure they explicitly recognise the EDMC’s independent role and the January 2024 EDMC Procedures, including how contested cases will be heard and decided.
• Update board and senior management briefings on BoE/PRA enforcement to reflect the change in EDMC leadership and likely implications for contested case strategy and settlement versus contest decisions.
• Assess ongoing and anticipated enforcement matters for which the firm might contemplate contesting; incorporate the EDMC’s composition and procedures into litigation and regulatory strategy planning.
• Train Legal, Compliance and relevant business teams on the practical implications of the EDMC Procedures (panel size, hearing processes, written and oral representations, decision timelines) with scenario‑based exercises for contested cases.

What changed

• - The EDMC now has a new Chair (Nicholas Segal) and Deputy Chair (Peter King), replacing Sir William Blair and Philip Marsden whose terms ended in July 2026.
• The appointments are the outcome of an external recruitment process commenced in October 2025, aligned with the EDMC’s governance framework and five‑year renewable term structure.
• The scope of the EDMC’s remit continues to cover contested enforcement decisions across the Bank’s statutory regimes: Prudential Regulation, Financial Market Infrastructures, Resolution,...
• The EDMC Procedures, published in January 2024, remain the operative framework for how contested enforcement cases are handled, including panel constitution, hearing processes, and decision‑making...
• The EDMC continues to operate with functional separation from investigation teams and the Bank’s executive, preserving independence in contested enforcement decisions.

Key dates

TBD (following consultation responses, expected late 2026 or later)

- The final Policy Statement would be published, and the proposals would take effect on publication

22 October 2026

- The consultation closes

Suggested considerations

• Firms planning a Part VIII transfer should map their transaction timetable against the PRA’s proposed step-by-step process and identify where the revised guidance may affect sequencing.
• Firms should assess whether their proposed transaction could qualify for a waiver of the transferee member vote and prepare supporting rationale and evidence accordingly.
• Firms should determine early whether the PRA is likely to expect an independent actuary’s report and build that workstream into the transaction plan.
• Firms should confirm whether the proposal applies to their structure, including whether they are a friendly society or another type of firm within scope.
• Firms and advisers should review current transaction playbooks and board papers to align them with the PRA’s stated approach before the consultation closes.

What changed

• - The PRA proposes to set out a typical sequence of steps firms would follow when undertaking a Part VIII transfer.
• The PRA proposes to provide greater transparency on its decision-making considerations for Part VIII transactions.
• The PRA proposes to explain when it may waive the requirement for a member vote by the transferee.
• The PRA proposes to explain when it may require an independent actuary’s report.
• The PRA proposes to clarify the scope of applicability of the process for both friendly societies and non-friendly-society firms.

Key dates

August 2021

- Start of the relevant period during which HDI Global SE submitted incorrect FSCS Liabilities and FSCS Fee Tariff data to the PRA

Summer 2023

- By this point, HDI Global SE had still not checked the PRA Rulebook or guidance on FSCS coverage and fee tariff methodology, illustrating the duration of governance and diligence failures

January 2024

- The Early Account Scheme (EAS) becomes part of the Bank of England’s enforcement policy for PRA firms and FMIs

August 2024

- End of the relevant period of misreporting, including errors in data submitted as purported remediation of earlier incorrect returns

November 2024

- The Bank of England updates its statutory statements of policy and procedure on enforcement, setting out the PRA’s approach to exercising enforcement powers under FSMA 2000

Suggested considerations

• Review and map all FSCS Liabilities and FSCS Fee Tariff reporting obligations under the PRA Rulebook and applicable guidance, ensuring the firm’s methodology aligns with regulatory definitions of FSCS-covered liabilities.
• Conduct a detailed end-to-end review of regulatory reporting processes for FSCS data, including data sourcing, calculations, validations, and submission workflows, to identify and remediate control weaknesses.
• Develop and document formal, robust written procedures that govern the calculation and validation of FSCS Liabilities and FSCS Fee Tariff data, including change-control processes for methodologies.
• Assign clear ownership and accountability for FSCS-related reporting within the firm’s governance framework, ensuring named individuals or functions are responsible for accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.
• Strengthen internal oversight, challenge and review mechanisms over prudential and FSCS-related reporting, including regular independent checks by risk, compliance or internal audit.

What changed

• - The PRA has explicitly reinforced that FSCS Liabilities and FSCS Fee Tariff data are core prudential reporting metrics, and misreporting them may both impede risk assessment and cause underpayment...
• The enforcement action clarifies that failures to consult the PRA Rulebook and applicable guidance on FSCS coverage and fee tariff methodologies constitute a breach of Fundamental Rule 2 (due skill,...
• The PRA has signalled that the absence of effective written processes for calculating regulatory data, and lack of clear accountability, internal oversight, and challenge over those calculations,...
• The case demonstrates that remediation submissions are subject to the same accuracy and governance expectations as original returns, and that errors in purported remediation will be treated as...
• The PRA’s Early Account Scheme (EAS), formally incorporated into its enforcement policy in January 2024, is now clearly positioned as a mechanism that can materially reduce penalties where firms...

Key dates

Summer 2026

– PRA and FCA consultations expected to be issued on detailed rules for the new UK captive insurance regime

16 June 2026

– PRA speech by Shoib Khan outlining policy approach, boundaries of captive activity, and expectation of a consultation in summer 2026

14 October 2026

– Consultation closing date for responses to the PRA/FCA captive regime proposals

Summer 2027

– Target **launch of the new captive insurance regime**, following consideration of consultation feedback and finalisation of PRA/FCA rules and guidance

Mid‑2027

– Consistent target implementation window indicated in government and regulator communications for the new captive framework to become operational

Suggested considerations

• Assess whether existing or planned group risk‑financing strategies would benefit from establishing a UK single‑parent captive under the proposed regime and document the strategic rationale.
• Map current and planned intra‑group insurance and reinsurance arrangements, including any employee benefits‑related policies, to confirm which risks can be written directly and which must only be written on a reinsurance basis.
• Engage early with internal stakeholders (risk, treasury, legal, tax, and senior management) to determine preferred captive structures (standalone vs future PCC) and governance arrangements aligned with PRA expectations.
• Prepare to participate in the PRA and FCA consultations by drafting detailed, technical responses on authorisation processes, capital methodologies, reporting templates, and conduct requirements for captives.
• Review existing Solvency UK and Consumer Duty compliance frameworks and identify which elements would no longer apply to captives under the proposed regime, while ensuring that any remaining protections and safeguards are maintained where appropriate.

What changed

• - Introduction of a tailored regulatory framework for single‑parent captive insurers in the UK, distinct from the regimes applicable to traditional insurers and reinsurers.
• Creation of a streamlined dual PRA/FCA authorisation process for captives, with an explicit target decision timeline of 4–6 weeks from application.
• Exclusion of captives from Solvency UK requirements, with a move to a separate, flexible capital resources framework rather than Solvency II‑style minimum capital requirements.
• Exclusion of captives from the FCA Consumer Duty, recognising that captives primarily insure intra‑group risks and have limited direct retail customer exposure.
• Introduction of proportionately lower capital requirements for captives, reflecting their lower risk profile and group‑risk‑financing purpose.

Key dates

In or around July 2026

- The Bank of England emails invoices for the Bank of England Levy to Levy Payers, setting out the levy amount payable for the 2026/27 Levy Year

Levy Year 2026/27 (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027, by inference from BoE and FCA levy year conventions)

- Period to which the Bank of England Levy Requirement and the Notification Document relate

Suggested considerations

• Confirm internally which group entities are Levy Payers for the 2026/27 Bank of England Levy and reconcile this against the scope set out in the Bank of England Levy Framework Document and related BoE fee regime policy statements.
• Review the Bank of England Levy Notification Document for 2026/27 alongside the 2024 Levy Framework Document and prior-year notices to understand how the bank’s individual assessment may change relative to 2025/26.
• Ensure that Recognised Contact and Invoice Contact details submitted to the Bank are up to date, consistent with Statistical Notice 2026/03 requirements, so that levy invoices and operational communications are received and actioned promptly.
• Set up or confirm internal approval, purchase order and payment processes to ensure invoices for the Bank of England Levy 2026/27 are validated, coded and paid in accordance with the Bank’s payment terms and internal delegation of authority.
• Update regulatory cost forecasts, budgets and FTP (funds transfer pricing) or product pricing models to reflect the 2026/27 levy quantum and any change in allocation across entities or business lines.

What changed

• - The Bank of England has released the annual Notification Document for the 2026/27 Bank of England Levy, confirming the anticipated levy requirement for the current levy year under paragraph 1.16 of...
• For 2026/27, the Bank of England Levy is set at £700 million, reflecting both funding of the Bank’s policy functions and the transition away from the legacy Cash Ratio Deposits (CRD) scheme, with a...
• Within this £700 million total, the Bank is recovering £343 million as net Levy from industry, separate from operational policy costs of approximately £357 million, with £307 million specifically...
• The Levy sits within the Bank’s overall fee and levy regime which is constrained such that the Bank’s operating budget and core levies may increase by no more than consumer price inflation in...
• The Notification Document underlines that invoices for individual Levy Payers will follow, consistent with the Framework and associated terms and conditions, and that levy payers will be billed by...

Key dates

31 July 2026

- Updated Form PL definitions are scheduled to be published by the Bank of England

Q1 2027

- First reference period for which the updated Form PL definitions are effective

May 2027 Deadline

- Submission deadline for Q1 2027 Form PL reporting using the revised definitions and tax treatment

Suggested considerations

• Review the updated Form PL definitions in full once they are published on 31 July 2026 to understand all changes to income, expenditure and tax classification.
• Map the revised Form PL tax definition (PL16 / PL.01.01.01 C0010 R1600) to internal chart of accounts and tax reporting structures, ensuring correct identification of taxes on production and related charges.
• Update internal regulatory reporting systems, data transformation rules and validation checks to reflect the new Form PL definitions ahead of the Q1 2027 reporting period.
• Revise internal reporting policies, procedures and documentation for Form PL to incorporate the updated tax treatment and any other definitional changes.
• Train finance, regulatory reporting and data teams on the revised Form PL guidance, with particular focus on the redefined tax items and their distinction from other tax and fee categories.

What changed

• - The Bank of England will update the Form PL definitions to improve consistency and alignment with the ONS UK National Accounts requirements, specifically for income and expenditure reporting.
• The definition and reporting guidance for tax (PL16 / PL.01.01.01 C0010 R1600) are being revised to clarify the treatment of items classified as taxes on production and related charges.
• The updated definitions will apply to all Form PL line items, with particular emphasis on ensuring more precise classification of tax-related items within profit and loss reporting.
• The Bank of England does not anticipate major changes in reported figures but expects improved clarity and consistency in how firms map internal accounting data to Form PL categories.
• The updated definitions will replace the current Form PL guidance and become the operative standard for all reporting institutions from the Q1 2027 reporting period.

Key dates

15 July 2025

– Payments Vision Delivery Committee agrees the new public‑private model to deliver the next‑generation UK retail payments infrastructure under the National Payments Vision

Late 2026

– HM Treasury and the Bank of England are expected to publish conclusions on whether, and in what form, to proceed with a digital pound, which will influence infrastructure design and multi‑money functionality (date inferred as “later this year”)

25 June 2026

– Retail Payments Infrastructure Board consultation on the design of the future UK retail payments infrastructure is launched

11 September 2026 Deadline

– Deadline for stakeholders to submit responses to the RPIB consultation on the next‑generation retail payments infrastructure

Suggested considerations

• Identify internal stakeholders (payments product, technology, operations, legal, compliance, risk) and establish a formal project to coordinate your firm’s response to the RPIB consultation.
• Perform a gap analysis of your firm’s current use of Faster Payments, Bacs and cheque imaging, focusing on account‑to‑account capabilities, cross‑border flows, fraud and financial crime controls, customer authentication and operational resilience.
• Map and document key payment journeys relevant to your firm (e.g. point‑of‑sale account‑to‑account payments, bill payments, peer‑to‑peer transfers, ecommerce, cross‑border transactions) to enable substantive feedback on user needs and design priorities.
• Assess your firm’s strategic interest in account‑to‑account payments at the point of sale and enhanced cross‑border services, and identify functional requirements (APIs, messaging, reconciliation, chargeback‑like protections) that should be reflected in the consultation response.
• Review emerging regulatory publications under the National Payments Vision and Payments Forward Plan to ensure your consultation input aligns with expected regulatory outcomes on access, competition, resilience and innovation.

What changed

• - The RPIB has opened a consultation to develop a high‑level “blueprint” for the future UK retail payments infrastructure, which will underpin the National Payments Vision and inform the design to be...
• The consultation scope explicitly covers payment journeys, key design choices and priorities for the next‑generation infrastructure, rather than setting immediate prescriptive rules for firms.
• The next‑generation infrastructure is intended to support new payment methods, including account‑to‑account payments at the point of sale (in‑store and online) as a complement to card payments, and...
• Existing retail interbank payment systems (Faster Payments, Bacs, Image Clearing System) operated by Pay.UK will continue to run safely and resiliently during the transition, implying a multi‑year...
• The new infrastructure is being designed to support a multi‑money ecosystem, including existing commercial bank money and emerging forms of digital money (e‑money, tokenised deposits, systemic...

Key dates

May 2023

- The PRA published Consultation Paper CP9/23, which proposed changes later reflected in the updated enforcement approach

30 January 2024

- The Bank of England unveiled changes to the PRA’s enforcement approach, including the Early Account Scheme and the Enhanced Settlement Discount

24 June 2026

- David Chaplin delivered the speech at the 5th Conference on Financial Law and Regulation at the University of Leeds School of Law

Suggested considerations

• Review current investigation-response procedures to ensure the firm can produce a factually complete written account and supporting evidence at short notice.
• Build escalation protocols that trigger early internal fact-finding when a potential prudential breach is identified.
• Train relevant staff to distinguish between cooperation, factual admissions, and without-prejudice settlement positions so that engagement does not inadvertently prejudice legal strategy.
• Reassess whether current incident-management playbooks are aligned with the PRA’s expectation of early candour and remediation.
• Ensure legal, compliance, and business stakeholders can rapidly agree on breach acknowledgment, remediation steps, and document preservation.

What changed

• - The PRA is now explicitly encouraging earlier engagement by investigation subjects, including proactive identification, acknowledgement, and remediation of breaches.
• The familiar enforcement pattern is changing from a late-stage admission model toward a front-loaded investigative model in which firms provide information earlier in the process.
• The PRA’s enforcement approach now places greater emphasis on written factual accounts and supporting materials during the initial investigative stage.
• Firms that participate early and make early admissions may obtain enhanced settlement discounts, while non-participants remain on a lower discount path.
• The Bank says this is not a new policy launch but an explanation of how the existing approach is operating in practice across live cases.

Key dates

2024

- UK Government publishes its National Payments Vision, which provides the policy backdrop for a UK regime on digital money, including stablecoins

10 November 2025

- BoE consultation paper “Proposed regulatory regime for sterling‑denominated systemic stablecoins” is published, setting out the initial framework, including 60% cap on gilts and per‑holder limits

10 November 2025

- BoE Financial Stability Paper on “The role of holding limits for sterling‑denominated systemic stablecoins and a potential digital pound” is published, exploring the macro‑prudential rationale for quantitative limits

End of 2026

- BoE intends to finalise the Code of Practice and supporting rules for systemic sterling‑denominated stablecoins, following the consultation feedback

02 February 2026

- Sarah Breeden speech “Talking ’bout next generation” elaborates on digital money and the proposed stablecoin regime

Suggested considerations

• Conduct a regulatory perimeter and recognition analysis to determine whether any issued or planned sterling‑denominated stablecoin could meet the Banking Act 2009 systemic tests and therefore fall under the BoE systemic stablecoin regime.
• Review and update treasury and investment policies for stablecoin backing assets to ensure the portfolio structure can comply with the revised requirement of up to 70% short‑term UK government debt and the remainder in BoE deposits.
• Perform detailed liquidity and redemption stress‑testing to evidence that central bank deposits and gilt portfolios can support prompt redemption under extreme but plausible scenarios while remaining within the £40 billion issuance guardrail.
• Re‑calibrate business plans and revenue models for systemic stablecoin issuance to reflect the increased allowable share of interest‑bearing gilts, the absence of per‑holder limits, and continued constraints on paying interest to coinholders.
• Design and implement governance and risk‑management frameworks that meet BoE expectations for systemic payment systems, including Board‑level oversight, risk appetite for digital money, and clear accountability for prudential and operational risks.

What changed

• - The Bank of England has published a policy statement “Sterling‑denominated systemic stablecoins” (22 June 2026) and a draft Code of Practice that will constitute the primary rulebook for systemic...
• The regime applies only to systemic sterling‑denominated stablecoins used for UK payments, i.e. stablecoins recognised as systemic under Banking Act 2009 tests where disruption could threaten UK...
• The previous proposal that at least 40% of backing assets be unremunerated central bank deposits and up to 60% in short‑term UK government debt has been revised so that up to 70% of backing assets...
• Backing assets must remain highly liquid and low‑risk, with central bank deposits used explicitly to support prompt redemption in stress, while the expanded gilt component is intended to improve the...
• The BoE has dropped the earlier concept of temporary per‑holder limits (for example, £20,000 per individual and £10 million per business that were consulted on in 2025) and replaced them with a...

Key dates

January 2027

- All Basel 3.1 rules other than the internal model approach for market risk come into force in the UK, including the new market risk standardised approaches and trading book boundary rules

01 January 2028

- The PRA’s adjusted internal model approach for market risk (FRTB‑IMA), as refined through this consultation, comes into effect; IMA capital requirements and associated reporting and testing obligations apply from this date

Suggested considerations

• Review the PRA consultation on the Basel 3.1 market risk internal model approach in detail and map each proposed change (PLA monitoring, modellability, mixed‑use treatment, operational simplifications) to current and planned IMA designs and policies.
• Update the Basel 3.1 implementation roadmap for market risk to reflect that all non‑IMA Basel 3.1 rules start in January 2027, while IMA goes live on 01 January 2028, ensuring dependencies between standardised and IMA implementations are clearly sequenced.
• Reassess the design, calibration, and governance of the profit and loss attribution framework to accommodate a three‑year monitoring period, including data retention, desk‑level analytics, exception management, and documentation of PRA engagement during the monitoring phase.
• Perform an inventory of trading book risk factors and positions with limited trading data and assess how the PRA’s more targeted approach to non‑modellable risks will change modellability classifications, capital impacts, and desk‑level model scope.
• Analyse current and planned use of mixed IMA and standardised approaches across desks to ensure that migration pathways do not inadvertently increase capital requirements and adjust transition plans, capital forecasts, and management information accordingly.

What changed

• - The PRA confirms that the Basel 3.1 internal model approach for market risk (FRTB‑IMA) will be implemented in the UK on 01 January 2028, with no further delay to the already-announced date.
• The PRA proposes to extend the monitoring period for the profit and loss attribution (PLA) test from one year to three years before PLA outcomes are used to drive capital consequences for IMA trading...
• The PRA proposes a more targeted approach for positions with limited trading data, adjusting the identification of risks that cannot be modelled under IMA so that more positions can be treated as...
• The PRA proposes to modify the treatment of positions subject to a mix of IMA and standardised approaches, to avoid scenarios where capital requirements increase mechanically as firms gradually...
• The PRA proposes operational simplifications and amendments to the IMA rules to improve proportionality, including simplifications in how firms evidence modellability, run tests, and manage the...

Key dates

Mid‑June 2026 Deadline

– First LIVE submissions using Statistics Taxonomy v1.3.1 become due, covering **end‑May 2026** data; firms must use v1.3.1 for these returns and v1.3.0 instance documents will no longer be valid for submission

02 June 2026 – 12 June 2026

– BEEDS User Acceptance Testing (UAT) window for firms and software houses to test submissions using Statistics Taxonomy v1.3.1 in a non‑production environment, running in parallel with live reporting for some firms and returns

Suggested considerations

• Update internal reporting systems, data integration layers and XBRL engines so that all relevant BoE statistical returns are generated using Statistics Taxonomy v1.3.1 for end‑May 2026 reporting onwards.
• Review and update all XBRL instance document templates and configuration to ensure they reference the correct v1.3.1 entry points and filing indicators (XX.XX.XX format, e.g. FI.01.01).
• Decommission or phase out any dependency on the BoE Statistical Utility tool, and implement an alternative XBRL generation solution (recognised software provider or internal tooling) capable of producing valid v1.3.1 files.
• Conduct a detailed review of the BoE‑published change log, taxonomy package, sample files and XBRL filing manual to understand validation changes, DPM updates and implementation nuances that could cause submission failures.
• Schedule and complete end‑to‑end testing in the BEEDS UAT environment (where available) and in internal test environments to validate that v1.3.1 submissions pass all technical and business validations.

What changed

• - Bank of England Statistics Taxonomy v1.3.1 replaces v1.3.0 for statistical reporting under the BoE Statistics Taxonomy framework.
• The new taxonomy applies to LIVE submissions of end‑May data due from mid‑June 2026, meaning firms must generate those returns using v1.3.1.
• Reporting requirements and published definition documents remain unchanged, with the update limited to technical implementation changes (validation fixes, data point model changes and related...
• Taxonomy v1.3.1 is not backwards compatible with v1.3.0, so XBRL instance documents created under v1.3.0 will not be valid for submission once v1.3.1 is in force.
• Filing indicators are standardised across statistics reporting and now follow the format XX.XX.XX (for example, FI.01.01), requiring alignment of internal mapping and validation rules.

Key dates

Summer 2026

- The Bank plans to run a second consultation on the specific wildlife options to feature on the new series

End of 2026

- The Bank intends to announce the outcome of the consultation and final design direction

03 June 2026

- The Bank of England launches the public consultation on wildlife imagery for the next series of banknotes

03 July 2026

- The consultation closes

TBD (multi

year process; after 2026); - The Bank will complete detailed design, testing, printing, and rollout of the new series, which it says will take several years

Suggested considerations

• Review internal cash and branch readiness plans to account for a future change to the visual appearance of UK banknotes.
• Monitor the Bank of England’s consultation outcomes so denomination-specific handling, ATM, sorting, and authentication procedures can be updated in time.
• Update customer communications and frontline scripts to reflect that the next series will feature wildlife imagery, while retaining the monarch’s portrait.
• Validate that note-recognition, counterfeit-detection, and cash-acceptance systems can accommodate new denomination designs once specifications are released.
• Track the Bank’s second consultation in summer 2026 if your organisation relies on cash logistics, cash processing, or public education materials.

What changed

• - The Bank has opened a consultation on selecting four distinct native wildlife images for the central design of the next series of banknotes, one for each denomination from £5 to £50.
• The eligible imagery is limited to a published shortlist; the Bank is not seeking alternative nominations and will only consider animals on that list.
• The shortlist spans mammals, birds, and amphibians/insects/fish, reflecting the Bank’s intent to represent different UK environments across the banknote set.
• The Bank will select up to two examples from each category in the consultation, but the final selection may not match the highest-voted options.
• The Bank will retain a portrait of the monarch on the next series, alongside additional wildlife and nature elements.

Key dates

End May 2026

– Reference date of the first LIVE reporting period to which Bank of England Statistics Taxonomy v1.3.1 applies (end‑May 2026 data)

25 May 2026

– Last date for software houses to email the BEEDS queries mailbox to request access to the BEEDS UAT environment for this specific UAT window

Mid June 2026 Deadline

– Due date window for LIVE submissions of end‑May 2026 statistical data under Taxonomy v1.3.1 via BEEDS LIVE

02 June 2026

– Opening of BEEDS UAT environment for the June testing window under Taxonomy v1.3.1 FINAL

12 June 2026

– Closing of BEEDS UAT environment for the June testing window

Suggested considerations

• Identify all Bank of England statistical returns in scope of Taxonomy v1.3.1 and confirm that internal reporting calendars and responsibilities reflect the end‑May 2026 effective period and mid‑June 2026 submission deadlines.
• Ensure that all in‑scope statistical reporting firms’ BEEDS LIVE user and firm information are accurate and up to date, so that automatic mirroring into the BEEDS UAT environment creates correct and controlled user profiles.
• Instruct software houses and third‑party vendors supporting Bank of England statistical reporting to request BEEDS UAT access by emailing the BEEDS queries mailbox no later than 25 May 2026 if they intend to participate in this UAT window.
• Coordinate with internal IT and vendors to schedule, prepare, and execute test submissions in BEEDS UAT between 02 June and 12 June 2026, covering all relevant entry points and reporting scenarios under Taxonomy v1.3.1.
• Implement or validate an alternative XBRL generation solution to replace the withdrawn Bank of England Statistical Utility Tool, and complete end‑to‑end testing (source data to BEEDS receipt) ahead of the mid‑June 2026 live submission deadline.

What changed

• - The Bank of England has opened a BEEDS UAT environment specifically for testing statistical submissions under Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1 FINAL, distinct from the BEEDS LIVE production environment.
• A dedicated UAT window is set from 02 June to 12 June 2026, during which the UAT environment will run in parallel with live reporting for some firms and returns.
• Statistical reporting firms are automatically enabled for BEEDS UAT using their existing BEEDS LIVE firm and user information and do not need to request UAT access.
• Software houses that wish to use this UAT window must request access by emailing the BEEDS queries mailbox by a stated cut‑off date (25 May 2026).
• All principal and additional user details for firms will be mirrored from the BEEDS LIVE environment into BEEDS UAT, with UAT‑specific temporary passwords issued from the designated BEEDS UAT email...

Key dates

Ongoing Deadline

- Firms must maintain resolution packs and MREL compliance; bail-in firms have at least **6 years** (plus up to 2-year extension) to meet end-state MREL, and **minimum 18 months** for additional resolvability requirements

Advance notification Deadline

- Modified insolvency firms forecasting £25bn assets or transactional account thresholds within 3 years must inform BoE/PRA

Suggested considerations

• Assess resolvability: Major firms perform and disclose self-assessments under RAF; address identified barriers or face BoE powers to mandate fixes.
• Enhance capabilities: Implement MREL, operational continuity in resolution (OCIR), and Single Customer View for deposits; prepare for recapitalisation or non-transferable interests in bail-in.
• Cross-border coordination: US-exposed firms leverage SEC No-Action Letter for bail-in planning; engage BoE on international strategies.[BoE News Release](https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/news/2026/april/boe-enhances-resolution-readiness-with-updated-operational-guides)
• Monitor thresholds: Notify BoE/PRA if approaching £25bn assets or account thresholds.

What changed

• - New Operational Guide to Transfer Resolution: Details BoE's execution of transfers to private sector purchasers or temporary bridge banks, including recapitalisation payments and use of resolution...
• Updates to Operational Guide to Bail-in Resolution: Introduces an alternate approach where affected creditors receive non-transferable contingent beneficial interests (simplifying bail-in by...
• US SEC No-Action Letter: Confirms non-transferable contingent beneficial interests for US investors need no SEC registration, aiding cross-border bail-in operability.[BoE News...

Key dates

7 October 2021 Deadline

22 May 2024; Period of identified breaches, including capital non-compliance, misleading submissions, and large exposure failures

Suggested considerations

• Conduct capital position audits to verify CRR reporting accuracy (individual and consolidated own funds) and remediate any discrepancies.
• Review intra-group exposures for large exposure limits (Articles 393-395), related party transactions (Rules 2.1/2.3), and notification obligations.
• Enhance governance controls for integrity (Fundamental Rule 1), including document fabrication prevention, timely solvency disclosures (Fundamental Rule 7), and prudent management (Fundamental Rule 3).
• Stress-test parent-subsidiary interactions and ensure openness with PRA on deteriorating positions.
• Update training on PRA enforcement policies (PS1/24) and bank supervision (SS3/21).

What changed

• This enforcement action does not introduce new rules but enforces existing PRA requirements with landmark application:
• First PRA fine for breaching Fundamental Rule 1 (conduct business with integrity), highlighting fabrication of documents as a core violation.
• First enforcement against a parent financial holding company (Oplyse Holdings), extending liability to group entities for capital reporting and related party exposures.
• Emphasizes strict adherence to Fundamental Rules 3, 4, and 7 (prudence, adequate resources, openness), CRR reporting (e.g., own funds on individual/consolidated basis), Large Exposures rules...

Key dates

March 17, 2026

- Consultation launch (today)

April 27, 2026

- Consultation closes (three-month window)

September 30, 2026

- Insurance liquidity reporting effective date (parallel reform)

Early 2027 – 2030

- Implementation timeline for final rules (phased approach)

Suggested considerations

• *Immediate (by April 27, 2026):
• Review the full consultation document and impact assessment
• Identify internal stakeholders (Treasury, Risk, Operations, Compliance) for response coordination
• Assess current liquidity stress testing capabilities against proposed weekly timeframe requirement
• *Medium-term (post-consultation, pre-implementation):

What changed

• The consultation proposes four primary regulatory modifications:
• Weekly stress testing requirement: Firms must conduct internal stress tests evaluating rapid outflows within one week, supplementing the existing monthly reporting framework
• Removal of Level 1 asset exemption: Sovereign bonds and other "level 1 assets" will no longer be exempt from annual testing of monetization capability for non-liquid assets, closing a significant...
• Barrier identification mandate: Firms must systematically evaluate their liquidity, identify barriers to asset monetization, and document findings
• Central bank facility preparedness: Regulatory encouragement (not mandate) for operational readiness to access Bank of England facilities during stress Critically, the PRA explicitly states these...

Key dates

2023

2024; Relevant period of miscalculation and breaches

13 August 2024

Firm notified PRA of error with preliminary root cause analysis

23 August 2024

Public disclosure via Regulatory News Service on SCR Coverage Ratio impact

1 July 2025

Aviva acquired DLG/UKI Limited (events pre-date)

10 March 2026

PRA issued Final Notice and imposed penalty

Suggested considerations

• Conduct control reviews: Assess finance/actuarial functions for preventative/detective control gaps, resourcing adequacy, and documentation (e.g., double-counting risks in Solvency II balance sheets).
• Test reporting accuracy: Validate Solvency II submissions (e.g., SFCR, SCR Coverage Ratio) against Rules 6.1, 2.4, 3.2; ensure factual accuracy, completeness, and reliability.
• Leverage EAS: Self-report errors early, provide candid root-cause analyses, and make admissions to qualify for penalty discounts.
• Remediate proactively: Invest in control enhancements, as UKI did post-identification; align with PRA 2026 priorities on data quality, internal models, and operational resilience.
• Document governance: Address longstanding resourcing concerns, per PRA's 2023 PSM letter risks.

What changed

• No new regulatory rules or requirements are introduced; this is an enforcement action applying existing PRA rules. Key breaches include:
• PRA Fundamental Rule 6: Failure to organise/control affairs responsibly/effectively due to ineffective preventative/detective controls and resourcing issues.
• Notifications Rule 6.1: Information to PRA not factually accurate or complete.
• Reporting Rules 2.4 and 3.2: Submissions lacked completeness, reliability, and compliance with SFCR structure/principles. This is the first EAS application, per PRA's enforcement approach (pages...

Key dates

July 2025

- Initial public consultation on banknote themes closed

Summer 2026

- Second public consultation to gather views on specific wildlife species (announced as forthcoming)

Future (multi

year process); - Design, testing, and printing of next-generation banknotes with anti-counterfeiting technology

Several years ahead

- Issuance of next generation of banknotes

Suggested considerations

• *Monitor the summer 2026 consultation: Track the announcement of the wildlife expert panel's curated species list and participate in the second consultation if relevant to your operations
• *Plan for authentication updates: Currency handlers and retailers should prepare staff training programs for new security features once designs are finalized
• *Update systems and procedures: Payment processors and financial institutions should plan for gradual transition protocols as new notes enter circulation
• *Engage with BoE communications: Subscribe to Bank of England announcements regarding final design decisions and implementation timelines
• *Prepare customer communications: Financial institutions should develop materials explaining the design change and new security features to customers

What changed

• The Bank of England is implementing the following design changes:
• Theme Selection: Wildlife native to Britain will feature on all denominations (£5, £10, £20, £50) of the next banknote series, replacing historical figures such as William Shakespeare, Winston...
• Monarch Continuity: King Charles' portrait will continue to appear on all notes.
• Security Integration: Wildlife imagery has been selected partly for its effectiveness in developing banknotes with easily recognizable and distinguishable security features.
• Scope Expansion: The design may incorporate additional natural elements including plants and landscapes to complement wildlife imagery.

Key dates

20 March 2026 Deadline

- Software houses must email [email protected] to request UAT access

30 March 2026

- BEEDS UAT environment opens for testing Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1 FINAL

17 April 2026

- BEEDS UAT environment closes (final window before live submissions)

End

May 2026; - Reference period for first live submissions post-UAT

Mid Deadline

June 2026; - Due date for live submissions covering end-May 2026 data

Suggested considerations

• Statistical reporting firms: Monitor email for temporary UAT password from [email protected]; log in using existing LIVE firm/user details (no access request needed); submit valid test files across entry points during window.
• Software houses: Email [email protected] by 20 March 2026 for access; submit valid, non-nil files for every statistical entry point (include Form IP if possible); await BoE validation and recognition list update.
• All parties: Ensure submissions contain valid data only; avoid nil returns; seek Press Office approval for any BoE name use in promotions.
• Review full details on BoE Statistical Reporting page for recognised software house list.

What changed

• - Introduction of BEEDS UAT environment specifically for testing Statistical Taxonomy v1.3.1 FINAL, described as the last UAT before live end-May 2026 submissions.
• Requirement for software houses to submit valid files for every statistical entry point (no nil returns accepted) to qualify as recognised; Form IP submissions strongly encouraged though not...
• Automatic access for statistical reporting firms using existing LIVE credentials; software houses must request access by email.
• Post-UAT validation by BoE, with potential loading of test files for verification, and email notifications on review outcomes.
• Reminder that BoE name usage in marketing requires prior Press Office approval. No prior taxonomy version explicitly compared, but this builds on prior UAT cycles (e.g., 2025 Notice proposed two...

Key dates

31 December 2025 Deadline

- Consultation feedback deadline on original Form BN discontinuation proposal (now closed; summarized in this notice)

April 2026

- Proposed final reference period for Form BN data collection (tentative, pending assessment)

May 2026

- Proposed final publication date for Form BN data (tentative)

TBD

- Completion of BoE assessment on Forms CC/CL alternatives and issuance of further Statistical Notice with confirmed changes

Suggested considerations

• Continue submitting Form BN as per current thresholds and schedules; do not discontinue reporting.
• Monitor BoE statistics notices for updates on assessment outcomes and any confirmed changes.
• Review internal processes for Forms CC and CL to prepare for potential expanded use or adjustments if Form BN ends.
• If previously provided feedback, no further action needed on consultation (closed).

What changed

• - No immediate discontinuation of Form BN; BoE is assessing Forms CC and CL as alternatives to meet ONS needs, considering data suitability, methodological impacts, and cost-benefit trade-offs.
• Consultation feedback confirmed no objections to discontinuation and broad agreement on reduced burden, though some firms noted limited savings due to integrated reporting processes.
• Any final changes will be via a future Statistical Notice; proposed end-date (April 2026 reference period) from Green Notice 2025/01 remains tentative.